May 11, 2005
Own set of social standard and order..
We're back to normal. Work and stuff. Really disturbed and upset about the construction next door, but as we read our tenancy contract through and through, we realized that we don't have any way to get out of the apartment before November. Why did we sign this super-restricting rental agreement?!?.. The agent and the landlord surely knew about the "redevelopment" project coming our way, when they rented the place out.. 6 more months of noisy weekends and hell knows what kind of monster and skyscraper is rising next door...
We went cycling last weekend and I realized that doing that on bumpy rocky steep slopes in the forest may be not quite my thing. I like cycling on a smooth asphalt road, watching the views, etc. When it becomes a matter of survival, I start thinking that I'd rather be knitting or singing or doing some other girl's-stuff.. I'll let Kaj to go to Bukit Timah with the boys from now on...
We went for the mother's day kahvikakkut to the botanical gardens and it was nice. Meanwhile they're having discussions in THE paper about the death sentence in Leijonakaupunki again. Apparently the death sentence is mandatory. If a person is found guilty in the "capital offence" (murder, drug trafficking and firearms offences), the judge has no choice, but sentence the person to death. Some people are calling to review these rules as they consider the punishment to be "cruel and inhuman". But just today some "bright" person wrote to the readers forum in response: ".. the values underlying these (human) rights are heavily influenced by the ideals of victorious Western powers following World War II, rather than global consensus." "More broadly, which single society, or eclectic characteristics of a sample of societies, should be used to define human rights? It is a loose concept..." I cannot believe that people seriously can argue that killing another person is not a severe infringement of that person's right to be alive... By any standards.. Western or Eastern, anybody, who lives and breathes under this sun...
Since 1993, the president has granted 6 clemencies all together (Leijonakaupunki admits that some 140 were executed while AI gives quite different numbers - over 400). Out of the 6, 4 were murder cases.. 2 drug trafficking cases.. Here's the statement from Leijonakaupunki Medical Association
"The Leijonakaupunki Medical Association takes the ethical code of the medical profession very seriously. We have no difficulties adhering to the provisions in Leijonakaupunki laws concerning crime and punishment. These laws, which include caning and death penalty for certain criminal offences reflect Leijonakaupunki's own set of social standard and order. It is because of our tough laws that we are able to keep Leijonakaupunki orderly and relatively crime-free. As doctors, we are indeed glad that Leijonakaupunki's approach to crime and punishment helps to preserve life and quality of life for the majority of law-abiding citizens and residents, unlike the situation in many cities in the US, where people, including children, are injured, maimed or killed by criminals at an alarming rate. We believe that prevention is better than cure and that the interests and concern of the victim are more important than those of the criminals."
Another news item - Leijonakaupunki scored very well in the global survey of governments by the World Bank Institute. It is among the top 10% of governments in most of the categories (measures 90% achievement), such as political stability, control of corruption, etc. However when it comes to human rights + voice and accountability, Leijonakaupunki is at 40% achievement, but still "not far below the regional average of East Asia at 50%" (he he.. Considering that this region includes N. Korea, Myanmar, China.. Not bad, Leijonakaupunki! Quite an achievement! I applaud the results..)
Can you guess what organization I will join as soon as I move to a country that has a regional office? Guess what, this organization doesn't have a branch in this country.. Ever wondered why?
Posted by gkligyte at May 11, 2005 10:56 PM